The Joint Council of Ministers Meeting on Security in Eastern DRC
The joint meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) opened on Friday, February 7, 2025, in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, to discuss the security situation in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This meeting precedes the joint summit of SADC-EAC Heads of State and Government, scheduled for Saturday, February 8, 2025, in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania.
Co-chaired by Amon Murwira, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic of Zimbabwe and President of the SADC Council of Ministers, and Dr. Musaila Mudavadi, First Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Diaspora of the Republic of Kenya and head of the EAC delegation to the ministerial session, the joint ministerial meeting aimed to address the ongoing security crisis in the region.
In his address, Amon Murwira emphasized the significance of collective efforts, both political and diplomatic, to restore normalcy in eastern DRC. “It is regrettable that the security and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC continues to worsen despite the noble efforts made within the frameworks of Luanda and Nairobi processes. It is heartbreaking to see nearly 400,000 people displaced in the city of Goma just this year,” Professor Murwira lamented, as reported by the source.
Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of SADC, commended the convening of the joint SADC-EAC meeting as a crucial step towards solidarity and collaboration among member states to find a lasting solution to the security situation in DRC. The meeting was a response to the precarious and rapidly evolving security situation in eastern DRC, as evaluated during the extraordinary Summit of SADC Heads of State and Government on January 31, 2025, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
President William Ruto of Kenya, who announced the joint summit, confirmed the participation of President Suluhu Samia (Tanzania), President Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), President Paul Kagame (Rwanda), President Cyril Ramaphosa (South Africa), President Kaguta Museveni (Uganda), and President HassanS Mohamud (Somalia) in the extraordinary summit in Dar-es-Salaam.
The joint summit in Dar-es-Salaam, bringing together leaders from EAC and SADC, is anticipated to be a pivotal moment in managing the crisis between DRC and Rwanda regarding the presence of Rwandan military and M23 rebels on Congolese territory. The Luanda and Nairobi processes are expected to be central topics for discussion to initiate a sustainable de-escalation.
Expert Insights: A Closer Look at Regional Cooperation
As tensions persist in eastern DRC, regional cooperation plays a crucial role in finding lasting solutions to complex security challenges. According to Dr. Jane Kimani, a political analyst specializing in African affairs, “The joint efforts of SADC and EAC demonstrate a commitment to collective security and stability in the region. By working together, member states can leverage their strengths and resources to address the root causes of conflict and promote peacebuilding initiatives.”
Looking Ahead: Prospects for Peace and Stability
The outcomes of the joint summit in Dar-es-Salaam are eagerly awaited by the international community, as they hold the potential to shape the future of security dynamics in the Great Lakes region. With heads of state engaging in dialogue and diplomatic negotiations, there is cautious optimism that a path towards reconciliation and sustainable peace in eastern DRC can be charted.
In conclusion, the joint Council of Ministers meeting on security in eastern DRC marks a significant milestone in regional efforts to address the complex challenges facing the region. By fostering cooperation and dialogue among member states, SADC and EAC demonstrate a shared commitment to promoting peace, security, and stability in eastern Africa. The outcomes of the summit are poised to influence the trajectory of conflict resolution and peacebuilding initiatives in the DRC and beyond.